Overview

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

Gr 2–5—These fascinating cultures are outlined for young readers with care and precision. Although gorier features of each culture are largely avoided, a reasonably complete picture of each people's history and culture is presented. Loaded with access points such as captions, pull-outs, a time line, and a map, and with better-than-usual reproductions of well-chosen primary sources and art, the books sport a bright, peppy design. The authors are careful to use or at least make note of proper nomenclature—Maloy uses the phrase "ancient Maya" (rather than simply "Maya") throughout, an important distinction that is often overlooked. These books are rigorous in distinguishing fact from theory, and conscientious about presenting competing theories where they exist. These are the best books on their subjects for this age group.—Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD

Children's Literature - Danielle Williams

The Aztec Empire was just beginning to expand when the Spanish arrived in search of cities made of gold. But despite its short existence, the Aztec Empire has had a lasting impact on Mexican culture. The Aztecs were a wandering group of people until they settled on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco, which offered geographical protection and allowed them to become the most powerful city in the Valley of Mexico. Through the study of ruins and writings, particularly from Spanish accounts of the Aztecs, historians and archaeologists have been able to learn a great deal about the Aztec people. While the Aztec Empire was short lived, the language of the Aztecs is still spoken by nearly one million people throughout Mexico and many of the rituals practiced and food prepared in Mexico today have roots in the Aztec culture. This brief introduction to the Aztec Empire will whet the appetite of anyone interested in ancient cultures. Reviewer: Danielle Williams